One student we worked with seemed to always be in a race against the math clock. He knew how to solve the problems but kept tripping up because he wasn’t taking his time. He’d skim the problem, miss important keywords, copy numbers down wrong, or rush through without fully understanding what he was being asked to do.
So, why do students rush?
Sometimes, they think going faster makes them seem smarter. Other times, they feel like they’re too slow and need to speed up to keep up with others. And for some, math isn’t their favorite, so they rush just to get it over with.
But rushing can backfire, leading to even more mistakes and frustration. It becomes a cycle that increases anxiety and hurts their confidence. So, how can you help your child slow down, avoid errors, and feel better about math? Here are six easy strategies you can try:
1. Turn It Into a Challenge
Make checking for mistakes a fun game. Challenge your child to find any mistakes before you do. This takes the pressure off and, for younger kids, makes it more playful.
2. Highlight the Important Parts
When tackling word problems, encourage your child to underline or highlight keywords. Have them jot down a quick note after each sentence to keep them focused on each step of the problem.
3. Spot the Patterns
Use a highlighter to mark common errors. This helps your child notice patterns in their mistakes and understand where they might need more attention.
4. Simplify Their View
If seeing a full page of problems feels overwhelming, have them cover the rest of the page and focus on one problem at a time. This helps them stay present and not rush through the work.
5. Use a Timer the Right Way
Set a timer, but with a twist: challenge them to use most of the time before moving on. This encourages a steady pace. They’ll learn that it’s better to work thoughtfully than to rush or linger too long on one problem.
6. Create Helpful Reminders
Make simple reminder cards with steps or tips for solving math problems. After each problem, they can use these cards to double-check that they followed the steps correctly.
These strategies can help your child slow down, focus better, and catch their own mistakes. Over time, they’ll build confidence, understand math more deeply, and learn that taking their time pays off.
I hope these tips are helpful for you and your child!
